At the Royal Rumble event held on January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, WWE superstars Liv Morgan and Roman Reigns each won their respective women’s and men’s Royal Rumble matches, earning opportunities to challenge for championship titles at WrestleMania 42. With these wins, both Morgan and Reigns have the authority to choose which titles they will pursue over the coming months.
Liv Morgan’s Return and Road to Victory
Liv Morgan’s triumph marks a significant milestone after recovering from a serious shoulder injury sustained late in 2025, which sidelined her for five months. Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez had previously captured the WWE women’s tag team titles on Monday Night RAW following WrestleMania 41, but Morgan’s injury delayed her momentum until she made a comeback at Survivor Series: WarGames.
During the Royal Rumble, Morgan had to overcome personal ties as she eliminated her stablemate from The Judgment Day, Raquel Rodriguez, on her path to victory. The final moments saw Morgan face a returning Tiffany Stratton and NXT newcomer Sol Ruca. Stratton eliminated Ruca after an attempt at a high-risk maneuver, but Morgan sealed her win with a modified Oblivion move, throwing Stratton over the top rope.
Following her win, Morgan is positioned to challenge either Jade Cargill or Stephanie Vaquer for their titles, though Vaquer is scheduled for a match against Rodriguez on the next Monday.
Roman Reigns Dominates the Men’s Royal Rumble
Entering the men’s Royal Rumble at number 26, Roman Reigns eliminated five competitors to claim his second Royal Rumble victory. Near the end, Reigns was among the last nine wrestlers alongside Logan Paul, Je’Von Evans, Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Gunther, Jacob Fatu, and Penta. After Drew McIntyre eliminated Rhodes following a Claymore Kick, Reigns capitalized by removing Fatu when Fatu was distracted.
Reigns continued his strong performance by eliminating Jey Uso after receiving a spear from the tag team champion. The final four contenders were Reigns, Orton, Paul, and Gunther—the latter having defeated AJ Styles earlier in the night, an event presumed to have ended Styles’ WWE career.
The showdown between Reigns and Gunther was intense, with both avoiding elimination until Reigns finally landed a spear and sent Gunther over the ropes to win. This victory guarantees Reigns a title match at WrestleMania against either Drew McIntyre or CM Punk, continuing their rivalry from last year’s event.
What’s Ahead for Morgan and Reigns
Liv Morgan’s victory not only highlights her resilience but also positions her as a major contender for a top women’s title in WWE. Her choice between challenging Jade Cargill or Stephanie Vaquer could reshape the women’s division dynamics leading up to WrestleMania 42.
Roman Reigns’ repeat Royal Rumble win solidifies his dominance in WWE’s men’s division and sets up a high-stakes title match with either Drew McIntyre or CM Punk, both well-established and intense competitors. This anticipated showdown promises to maintain the suspense and drama preceding WrestleMania 42.
The Royal Rumble outcomes have intensified the build-up toward WrestleMania, ensuring that the next few months will be filled with rivalries and championship opportunities, as Morgan and Reigns prepare to make their mark on WWE’s biggest event of the year.
